An elite dating app is trying its luck in edgy Berlin

Edgy Berlin might not seem like the most obvious city for an
elite dating app to launch in but that's exactly where The Inner
Circle expanded to last last month as it looks to appeal to
an increasing number of Europeans.

Shortly after the launch, one tech worker in Berlin told Business
Insider that they couldn't see the app taking off in the city.

But The Inner Circle, which vets people's LinkedIn profiles
before letting them onto its app, already boasts several thousand
users in the city, according to cofounder Michael Krayenhoff.

"We have 6,000 members in Berlin and are on track to have 20,000
members by the end of October," said Krayenhoff, who launched the
dating platform in London in 2013."Berlin has been going
exceptionally well, especially in the tech startup scene."

In contrast to more established dating apps like Tinder and
Happn, where it's all about speed and getting through profiles,
The Inner Circle allows people to share considerably more
information about themselves beyond a short bio. People arrange
meetups at high-end venues and they can let overseas members know
if they're planning to visit a particular city in the near
future.

In Berlin, The Inner Circle is proving popular with Berlin-based
male designers, architects, and startup founders, according to
Krayenhoff. Berlin-based females in marketing, architecture, and
environmental roles are also using the app in abundance, he said.
"Our Berlin market consists of people in more creative
industries," explained Krayenhoff.

Polo
spectators.Spencer Platt/Getty
Images

For every person that’s accepted onto (or into) The Inner Circle,
another is turned away. The platform has 125,000 users in total
with an additional 110,000 on the waiting list, according to
Krayenhoff.

"At the end of the day we are looking to create a close network
of like-minded, inspiring singles who are kicking ass in their
profession," he said. "Whether they are from the creative or
corporate world, it's about having that ambition and zest for
life. And it's these qualities that makes The Inner Circle work
for our members around the world."

Currently The Inner Circle is active in Amsterdam, Barcelona,
Milan, Paris and Stockholm, as well as London and Berlin. The app
is due to launch in the US on October 12 when it goes live in New
York City.

The company makes money through a premium version of its app and
a number of events that it puts on throughout the year including
a polo event in Richmond, South West London,
which is taking place this Saturday, with tickets costing £25
each.

Krayenhoff said the company doesn't need to take any investment
at this stage as it's cash flow positive and growing.